Vaginal washer



June 8 1926.

W. Tn VARNEY VAGINAL WASHER Filed Dec. 14. 1922 )7W/lam Var/rey.

Patented June 8, 1926.

UNITED' STATES PATENTOFFICE.

VAGINAL WASHER.

Application led December 14, 1922. Serial No. 606,878.

This invention relates to a device for irrigating or washing the vagina, the improvements being directed to the provision vof means for dilating or expanding the vagina to enable the liquid, whether for simple washing or for the application of a medicament to obtain access to its inner surface.

The device is designed to be simple in construction and etl'ective'in use and such as may be readily cleansed and' sterilized.

The invention is particularly described in the following specification, reference being made to the drawings by which it is accompanied, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the device. f

Fig. 2 is an end view in the direction of the arrow 2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a similar view when expanded.

Fig. 4, a longitudinal section showing a modification.

In these drawings 2 represents the central tube through which the washing liquid is delivered. rI`he lower end ot this tube has provision at 3 for connection to it ot the flexible tube 'from a fountain or from a bulb pump, and the upper end has a stepped enlargement 4 terminating in a conoidal end x 5 which has a series of small delivery apertures 6 around the conoidal part.

On this tube 2 is slidably mounted the hub ot a ring guard 7 having tour relativelyy narrow dilator members 8 projecting from -itiparallel to the axis of the tube 2 and extending beyond the conoidal end 4 thereof. lIhe outer surfaces of these dilator members 8 are in cross section segments of a circle of the normal diameter of the vagina and their outer ends 9 are laterally enlarged and inwardly turned as at 10 to contact with one another and form a rounded end to the combined members. Between the connection of these dilator members to the ring are aper- 1, tures 11 to provide exit for the washing d fluid.

A contact 12 projects radially inward from the inner side ot each dilator member immediately beyond the conoidal end 4 when the tube 2 is withdrawn, which members the J conoidal end engages when it is endwise moved and expands the dilator members outward against their spring resistance.

The width ot the dilator members is only such as to afford a comfortable contact with the Awall of the vagina, leaving a space between each pair of members for the application of the irrigating or'washing liquidV as delivered from the apertures 6 ot the conoidal end 4.

It, as may beY desirable, the dilator members 8 are made of a material not having v sufficient strength or elasticity to withstand the lexure, they'fmay, as shown in Figf4, be hinged at 13 to portions upwardly projectingfrom the ring guard 7, in which case each dilator member is produced slightly beyond the hinge,as at 14, to contactwith the stepped enlargement 4 of the central tube and retract the member 8 when vthe tube 2 is outwardly drawn'.

It Will be noticed that as the conoidal end of the tube@ is endwise 'moved to engage and expand the dilator members 8, the liquid is also delivered toward the ends ot these dilator members and effectivelyreaches the upper end of the vagina adjacent the os or v mouth of the womb.

I am aware that dilators have heretofore been used for ocular inspection of thevagina,`but without provision for washing or conveying a medicament tothe wall thereot', while so expanded. Further, in all dilators with which I am acquainted, the dilator members are externally produced beyond their hinge connection and are expanded by pressure applied to the produced ends. Such construction necessitates a 'more complicated appliance and a greater strength and weight of the dilator members, than where, as in this case, the dilation is etlected intermediate the ends ot the dilator members bythe enlarged inner end ot the'central stem through which the washing or medicated liquidis conveyed. Nor have any provided for endwise movement of the liquid delivery while the vagina is expanded and contracted.

Having now particularly described my i' invention, I hereby declare that what I claim as new and desire to be protected in by Letters Patent, is: y

1. A vaginal dilator, comprising a central tube having a conoidal end provided with discharge apertures adjacent the point thereof, andl having provision at the other end for connection to a source of liquid supply, a member endwise movable on the tube, said member having a series of relatively narrow dilator members projecting from it substantially parallel to the axis of the tube, said members having inwardly curved spoon-ends adapted t0 lie in contact when roo the dilater members are not expanded, said di'lator `members having inwardly projecting contacts adapted to be engaged'by said conoidal end when brought in Contact therewith to expand the dilator members outwardlj7 upon forward movement ot said conoidal end, means for limiting the movcment of said endwise movable member whereby when the dilator is'eXpanded said conoidal end will lie always within the confines of the dilator members substantially as shown and described. Y y

2. A vaginal dilater, comprising a central tube having a conoidal end provided with discharge apertures adjacent the point thereof, and having provision at the other lend for connection to a source o' liquid supply, a member endwise movable on the tube, saidniember having a series of relatively narrow dilator members projecting from it substantially parallel to the axis ot the tube, said members having inwardly curved spoon-ends adapted to lie in contact whenV the dlator members are not expanded, said dilater members haring inwardly projecting contacts adapted to Vbe engaged by said conoidal end'when brought in contact. therewith to expand the dilater members outwardly upon ifcrward moi-'ementJ of said conofidal end, means for limit-ing Vthe movement oitI Vsaid endwise movable member whereby when the dilator is expanded said conoidal end will lie always within the conl j lines of the dilator members, saidy tube having a steppedV enlargement adjacent said conoidal end, said dilator members comprising pivoting elements, said stepped enlargement adapted to engage saidl dilater members on return movement to move them on their pivots vto contract the same, substantially as shown and described, In testimony whereof It aflizi my signature.

WILLIAM T. VARNEY. 

